ICE said help from the public will be critical in its investigation into the deadly smuggling tragedy.

Author:
Charlie Cooper

Published:
7:12 PM CDT July 26, 2017

Updated:
7:12 PM CDT July 26, 2017

SAN ANTONIO - Life in prison or the death penalty could await the truck driver charged with transporting at least 39 undocumented immigrants in a sweltering hot semi-truck from an area near Laredo to San Antonio.

Monica Maple, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations, said the agency is exhausting all leads to make sure those behind the organized crime are brought to justice.

"There's a lot of elements into these organizations, on all levels," Maple said. "Between the foreign countries they start in, and then all of the players within the United States."

Maple said their investigation begins with taking leads from the public.

"I'm very confident that people have information about this, and they may be reluctant to come forward," Maple said.

34 of the 39 people found on the trailer are said to be from Mexico, two from Guatemala and the nationality of the others is still unknown. The consulates from their respective countries are said to be helping them understand their rights, what happens next is reconnecting them with their families.

Meanwhile, Homeland Security is looking into who, if anyone, is gaining from their risky journey.

"The criminal networks do not care about these people, it's a dollar sign on their forehead" Maple said. "If there's more money, and there's more will to come, its never going to end."

ICE said help from the public will be critical in its investigation. If you know anything about the incident that could help, contact ICE's tip line at 866-DHS-2-ICE.